Privatizing jobs saves money, raises concerns in Kearsley

KEARSLEY -- When Janet Campbell left her office job at Kearsley Middle School to pursue a family business venture, she was replaced by an outsourced employee.

The move caused mixed feelings in the Kearsley Educational Support Personnel Association, the union representing 28 office and support employees.

"We had heard other districts were doing this, but it came as quite a surprise," said KESPA president Liz Frixen.

Kearsley is contracting Campbell's replacement through Century Temporary Services, saving nearly $26,000 a year in the process, said Assistant School Superintendent Tim Dillon.

Outsourcing is a sensitive issue in Kearsley, where housekeepers lost their jobs three years ago in the district's move to privatize its maintenance staff. The district saved about $511,000 a year by contracting the work through D.M. Burr.

In May, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a conservative think tank in Midland, estimated about 38 percent of school districts statewide privatize some services.

While costs -- including retirement and health insurance -- are subject to unpredictable spikes, school budgets aren't keeping pace, said Dillon. And educators fear statewide cuts will further gouge school finances.

Outsourcing may have helped strengthen the district against future cuts, but it's also left scars.

"I have a lot of regrets in regard to many of the decisions we've been forced to make, decisions we didn't sign up for. I still see those faces," said Dillon. "But the reality is our central mission is teaching and learning."

The custodial contract was recently granted a 3-year extension and a 7 percent increase.

"It sounds like they're coming in, low-balling school districts to get a foot in the door, and increasing prices gradually," Frixen said.

But the enhanced contract is expected to bring stability for students -- and the budget.

"It's one of the expenses we can predict," Dillon said.

As before, Dillon says he's been criticized for bringing a stranger into the district.

"Janet Campbell was hired from outside the district seven years ago. Everyone, when they get hired here, is a stranger," Dillon said. "You develop trust and a reputation over time."

Contracted employees are required to pass the same FBI background checks and fingerprinting as staff hired directly by the district.

"We certainly are not making any hiring decisions that would ever place kids in jeopardy," Dillon said.

Despite KESPA's objections to outsourcing, union officials concede contracting jobs that have been vacated is better than cutting jobs across the board.

"If they're going to do it, attrition is the best way," Frixen said. "But we truly are hoping they will reconsider and bring that position back into the union."

With schools facing financial uncertainty, it could get worse.

"We've had to lay people off before, and we may have to end up laying people off again," said Dillon.

"Our problem is the same as it's always been -- funding. We can't continue to pay for people or things we do not have the revenue to support."